Magnetic Panel Systems for Decorating Metallic Locker Interior Walls

ABSTRACT

A system of removable panels and panel components sized, shaped, and structured to easily fit on the interior walls of standard sized metal lockers. The system includes pre-cut panels that may be positioned on the interior back and side walls of the locker. A further panel is configured to fit on the inside of the locker door. Additional pre-cut panels in a kit for a standard sized locker are provided. Accommodations are made for interior fixtures already positioned inside the locker. The door panel is alternately configured with utility objects, such as frames and pockets, as well as write-on components, such as calendars or schedules. The panels are constructed of generally flexible materials either with a full magnetic surface or individual edges or corners configured with magnetic surfaces. The panels may be provided with a variety of colors, designs, and other features that allow the individual to personalize the interior of their assigned locker.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit under Title 35 United States Code§119(e) of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/017,720; Filed: Dec. 30,2007, the full disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to wallpaper type panels thatfunction as both decorative and utility surfaces. The present inventionrelates more specifically to a system of magnetic panels configured forremovable use as decorative and/or utility surfaces for standard sizedmetallic lockers.

2. Description of the Related Art

The construction and provision of personal sized lockers is well knownin the art. Many institutions, from hospitals to schools to other placesof business, provide individuals that attend the institution as studentsor employees, with personal sized locker enclosures, within which theseindividuals may place their belongings and store materials such asbooks, backpacks, lunches, and other personal items during the day. Thetypical use of a metallic locker in this manner is in an educationalsetting such as a middle school, highschool, or a college. The buildingsof such institutions are often characterized by long banks of metallockers positioned within the hallways of the building betweenclassrooms. Each individual student is assigned a locker for a givenschool year and is typically allowed to secure the locker with a lock toprotect their belongings. Very often, a student's social life, inhighschool for example, revolves around their movement to and from theirlocker to class, to lunch, and to and from the school itself. The schoollocker therefore has become a center of social activity at schoolbetween classes and before and after school.

Various efforts have been made in the past to allow individuals toutilize their assigned lockers more efficiently, and in some cases, topersonalize their lockers to their own tastes. Various items have beendeveloped that removably integrate into the locker, such as lockershelves, magnetic mirrors, pencil holders, dividers, and other means forsupporting objects that the individuals wish to place within the locker.Very few efforts have been made, however, to broadly allow individuallocker users to fully personalize the interior space of their locker ina manner that is easily removable at the end of the school year or theterm of their locker use. It would be desirable if there were additionalways in which an individual could personalize their assigned lockerspace without requiring the placement of permanent or semi-permanentfixtures into the locker.

Metal storage lockers are generally configured into a small number ofstandard sized structures. Lockers, especially those designed for schoolenvironments, are generally provided in one of two basic configurations.Tall single door lockers are provided that extend vertically from thefloor to a height of approximately 6′. These single door lockers arepositioned side-by-side in long rows with each individual single doorlocker being assigned to an individual user. Alternately, double doorlockers which are configured in much the same geometry as single doorlockers, albeit divided at the middle and split into two, generally 3′tall lockers, forming a row of lockers on top and a second row oflockers on the bottom. In most educational environments, double doorlockers provide sufficient room for an individual student to maintaintheir books, backpack, jackets, and other items that are used during theschool day. One student is assigned a locker on top and a second studentis assigned a locker on the bottom. While the double door lockerprovides a more efficient and cost effective manner of providingstudents with storage space for the school day, many schools stillutilize and are able to provide a single door, tall locker for eachstudent.

Single door tall lockers are generally provided with a standard heightof 72″. The width and depth of these single door lockers can vary,although the most common width (i.e., the width of the door that opensthe locker) is 12″. The standard depth is also 12″. Variations includesingle door lockers having widths of 15″ or 18″ and depths of 15″, 18″,21″, or 24″. Double door lockers again generally comprise a height of36″ and have a standard width of 12″ and a depth of 12″. Variations onthe double door lockers provide widths of as much as 15″ and depths of15″ or 18″.

Lockers of the type utilized in educational settings, hospital settings,and other places of business, are generally made of a heavy 18 gaugesteel to provide strength and long life. Each locker enclosure is oftenprovided with one or two single prong wall hooks mounted below andinside a shelf in the locker. The locker shelf is typically a platformsized according to the width and depth of the locker and is fixed in apermanent position ¼ to ⅓ of the way down from the top of the locker toits base (for a double door locker set) or ⅛ to ⅙ of the way down fromthe top in a single door locker. Metal lockers are typically providedwith locking mechanisms that include either an aperture for accepting astandard padlock or combination lock, or an integrated padlock orcombination lock within the door structure.

School lockers are generally provided by manufacturers in drab,nondescript colors such as gray or beige. In some cases, individualschools and businesses choose to paint the lockers on the exterior inorder to accommodate the design features of the hallway or room withinwhich the lockers are positioned. Seldom however, are locker interiorsprovided with anything other than the plain gray or beige metallicsurfaces. Because the lockers are typically assigned and re-assignedover time to different individuals, it is generally prohibited forindividuals to permanently install any fixtures or surfaces within theirassigned locker enclosure. Students, for example, are often penalizedfor labels, bumper stickers, and other adhesive materials that are noteasily removed from the locker interior at the end of the school year.This makes it difficult for a student to personalize their locker totheir own taste without breaking the rules associated with locker useand decoration. These rules are in place despite the significant usethat students make of their locker and the personal ownership that theytypically take of the interior locker space.

It therefore presents a problem for the individual student (or employee)to create a personal space in conjunction with their assigned lockerwithout breaking the rules associated with the installation of permanentor semi-permanent fixtures and surfaces. It would be desirable to havesystems and devices that allow an individual to personalize their lockerspace without presenting permanent components that could not easily beremoved after the period of time that the individual has been assignedthe locker expires. It would be desirable if such systems could beoffered in a variety of configurations with various decorative andutility features that allowed an individual to express their personalityand taste within the interior of their assigned locker space and yeteasily remove these additions after the term of the assigned lockerends. It would be desirable if these systems could be implemented instandard shapes and sizes so that little modification would be requiredfor use in the standard sized school lockers typically made available tostudents. It would also be desirable if the systems included means forcustomizing the shapes and sizes of the components in the system toaccommodate non-standard locker sizes, or more creative efforts by theindividual locker users.

In general, efforts that have been made in the past to decorate metallicsurfaces have been limited to small individual components that arecapable of being removably placed on the metallic surfaces or the like.For example, there are a number of small magnetic frames that aredesigned to be placed on the exterior surfaces of refrigerators, some ofwhich are cut and sized to hold small photographs against the surface ofthe refrigerator for display. Often these refrigerator magnetsincorporate a section of magnetic sheet-like material that is flexibleand easily cut into a desired shape and size. Alternately, smallmagnetic squares or circles are sometimes used on the corners oflightweight objects to be attached to metallic surfaces such asrefrigerator doors or bulletin board metallic panels. Many of theseobjects lend themselves to use within a school locker, although theirgeneral intent is not to accommodate the size, structure, and geometryof the typical school locker. In addition, their small size and narrowfocus does not provide a manner of more generally personalizing theinterior of a locker to the owner's individual taste.

In general, therefore, it would be desirable to provide a system ofcomponents that would allow an individual who has been assigned a lockerfor a period of time, to personalize the interior surfaces of the lockerfor both decorative and utility use in a manner that allowed theindividual to fully express their personality with the design of theinterior and yet still provided a fully removable set of components thatcomplied with the typical rules and regulations associated withintegrating such components into an assigned locker. It would bedesirable if such a system of components included elementspre-configured to fit within standard sized locker enclosures as well aselements that could be customized to non-standard enclosures or morecreative configurations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention therefore provides a system of removable panelsand panel components sized, shaped, and structured to easily fit on theinterior walls of standard sized metal lockers. The system includespre-cut and pre-configured panels having hinged attachments between thepanels, that may be positioned and placed on the interior walls (twoside walls and back wall) of the locker as well as additional pre-cutpanels sized to fit the base of the locker interior and the ceiling ofthe locker interior. A further panel is pre-sized, cut, and configuredto fit on the inside wall of the locker door, accommodating the typicallock mechanism and ventilation systems on the locker door. Additionalpre-cut panels in a kit for a standard sized locker would include panelsconfigured to fit on the upper and lower surfaces of the locker shelf,as well as the edges thereof. Accommodations on the panels are made forinterior fixtures already attached inside the locker, such as coat hooksand the like. The panel associated with the interior wall of the door isalternately configured with utility objects, such as photo or documentframes and pockets, as well as write on components, such as calendars,daily schedules, or to-do lists. The panels are constructed of generallyflexible, or semi-flexible materials either with a full magnetic coatingon one surface or individual edges or corners configured with magneticsurfaces. The decorative surfaces of the panels may be provided with aninfinite variety of colors, designs, and other features that allow theindividual to personalize the interior of their assigned locker. Furtherobjectives and advantages will be readily apparent to those skilled inthe art from the following description with reference to the appendeddrawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a locker wallpaper kit assembly of the presentinvention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an open locker showing the typicalinstallation of the locker wallpaper kit of the present invention.

FIG. 3A is a cross-section view taken along line A-A′ in FIG. 1.

FIGS. 3B & 3C are perspective views of alternate manners of providinglocker wallpaper components for the system of the present invention.

FIGS. 4A & 4B are plan views of the locker door panel of the system ofthe present invention showing a variety of alternate interior componentsthat provide functionality to the surfaces of the locker door interiorwall.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

As indicated above, the general purpose of the present invention is toprovide a system of components that allow an individual to personalizethe interior walls of an assigned school locker or the like, in such amanner that allows for the easy removal of the personalized componentsat the end of the school year or at the end of the term of the assignedlocker. Those skilled in the art will recognize that the variouscomponents described in conjunction with the present invention could beconfigured with an infinite number of different colors, patterns andother decorative surfaces desired by the individuals using the lockers.These surfaces could include patterns that might typically be found onwallpaper associated with walls in a home or business, or may includepatterns with logos, teams logos, team colors, school colors, mascots,musical groups, movies, games, personalities, and any number of otherimages and graphic designs that individuals such as school studentsmight wish to exhibit as an indication of their own personality andpersonal taste. What follows, therefore, is a description of thefunctional characteristics of the system of the present invention, withlittle attention given to the decorative elements, which again areunderstood to be variable in their presentation.

Reference is made first to FIG. 1 for a description of a typical lockerwallpaper kit of the present invention suitable for implementation inone of a number of different standard sized double door lockerconfigurations. It will further be understood by those skilled in theart that the representations shown in the figures, although they mightbe generally directed to the size, structure and geometry of a standardsize double door locker arrangement, could easily be translated intosimilar components, sized, shaped, and structured for single door talllocker enclosures. In FIG. 1 locker wall paper kit 10 is comprised offive general components. These include main tri-fold panel 12, toptri-fold panel 14, ceiling panel 16, floor panel 18, and door panel 20.The manner in which these panels are integrated into the interior wallsof a standard locker is described in more detail below.

Main tri-fold panel 12 is generally comprised of three semi-flexiblepanels attached to each other by means of main panel hinges 28. Toptri-fold panel 14 is likewise comprised of three semi-flexible panelseach connected to each other by means of top panel hinges 30. Thesepanel hinges 28 and 30 may be constructed as any of a number of fullyflexible hinge mechanisms that allow the semi-flexible panels of thetri-fold panel system to be folded one back on the other, or at rightangles as in the installation of the panels within the locker (describedin more detail below). The panels as shown in FIG. 1 may preferably beconstructed of semi-flexible magnetic sheet material as is typicallyused for magnetic signs and other printed surfaces intended to beremovably mounted on metallic surfaces. These magnetic panels aretypically semi-flexible in that they retain their planar shape,especially when positioned on and against metallic surfaces. In mostcases these magnetic panels comprise a layer of magnetic materialcovered by a layer of vinyl or other polymer sheets, onto whichdecorative elements or printing have been placed. In this manner, oneface of the panel provides a magnetic surface that is attached to themetallic surface, while the opposing face of the panel provides thedecorative surface, typically in the form of a vinyl sheet pre-printedwith the decorative elements desired.

The individual rectangular panels, as shown in FIG. 1 especially thosethat comprise main tri-fold panel 12 and top tri-fold panel 14 may beconnected together to form assemblies as shown by means of fullyflexible vinyl or fabric hinges for main panel hinges 28 and top panelhinges 30. The individual components of the tri-fold panels 12 and 14are sized and shaped to accommodate the side walls and back wall of theinterior of the standard sized locker as described in more detail belowwith respect to FIG. 2.

Alternately, the panels shown in locker wallpaper kit 10 in FIG. 1 maycomprise fabric or vinyl surfaces of a semi-flexible composition thatintegrate individual magnetic areas sufficient to fully support andposition the panels within the locker. For example, smaller magneticsquares, circles, or other flat components may be positioned at thecorners or along the edges of the individual panels so as to adequatelyadhere the panels to the walls of the locker. In an effort to reduce theamount of magnetic material required, the four edges of each panel may,for example, be provided with a narrow strip of magnetic material thatfully adheres the entire edge of the panel to the metallic wall surface.In many instances, this is a sufficient means for adhering the panel tothe wall and requires less magnetic material than if the entire panelwas constructed of the flexible metallic layer.

In addition, there are a number of methods known that provide magneticcharacteristics to flexible panel surfaces. The only requirement of thepresent invention is that the magnetic surfaces be capable of providinga sufficiently strong magnetic field (either in local strength or inoverall area distribution).

Additional features that may also be required for the implementation ofthe locker wallpaper kit 10 are additionally shown in FIG. 1. Door panel20, for example, incorporates door vent cutouts 22 positioned and sizedin the same manner as such ventilation slits are typically provided inthe doors of a standard school locker. Door latch punch-out 24 is shownwhere the panel may optionally be modified to accommodate a door latchthat is integral to the door of the locker (as opposed to one thatutilizes an externally attached padlock or combination lock). There isgreater variety in the structure of the door latches between standardsized lockers, thus requiring more versatility in the ability to modifydoor panel 20. Such door latch punch-out sections 24 may simply beguidelines for cutting the panel with scissors or may be pre-cut orperforated lines on which the punch-out can easily be removed from thepanel.

Similar configurations are provided on main tri-fold panel 12 whereinhanger hook punch-outs 26 are positioned and provided in standardlocations for the permanently configured wall hooks positioned in thestandard school locker. The placement and use of these punch-outs isagain described in more detail below.

Reference is now made to FIG. 2 for a more detailed description of themanner in which the various components of the locker wallpaper kit 10 ofthe present invention are installed inside the standard school locker.The view in FIG. 2 is into the interior of an open, standard sizedlocker, with the door fully pivoted to the right hand side of the lockeras viewed into the interior. In this view, the locker primarilycomprises locker body 34 and locker door 32. Interior to the locker areshown locker shelf 40 and locker hanger hooks 38. On the inside oflocker door 32 is shown a typical door lock mechanism 36. It is aroundthese fixed structures that the components of the system of the presentinvention are customized (if necessary), positioned, and placed.

Main tri-fold panel 12 is shown positioned in place within the interiorside walls and back wall of locker body 34. The hanger hook punch-outsas described above have been removed to accommodate the placement of thepanels over and around locker hanger hooks 38. Main tri-fold panel 12 isflexed along the hinges between the panel components in a manner thatallows full contact with the walls of the locker. It will be recognizedthat some greater flexibility to the hinged areas between the individualpanels is desired to accommodate slight variations in the dimensionsbetween the back wall and the side walls of the standard locker.

Top tri-fold panel 14 is shown positioned above locker shelf 40 in amanner similar to the placement of main tri-fold panel 12 below lockershelf 40. Ceiling panel 16 and floor panel 18 are shown placed on theceiling and floor walls of the interior of the locker. It will berecognized that additional components sized and shaped in much the samemanner as ceiling panel 16 and floor panel 18 may be utilized and placedon the lower and upper surfaces of locker shelf 40 as desired. Forexample, if a student has been assigned a lower locker in a double doorlocker system, it may be desirable to forgo the use of ceiling panel 16on the ceiling wall of the locker and place the panel instead on the topsurface of locker shelf 40 where it is more visible from above. Incontrast, a student who has been assigned an upper locker in the set oftwo lockers in a double door system, may prefer to utilize the ceilingpanel 16 as shown and place floor panel 18 on the underside of lockershelf 40 where it is more readily visible. Alternately, additionalpanels similar in shape and size to ceiling panel 16 and floor panel 18may be provided to cover each of the various surfaces described on theinterior of the locker. Small additional strips or sections of panel mayfurther be added to accommodate the front edge of locker shelf 40 orother miscellaneous edges and surfaces associated with the interior oflocker body 34.

Locker door 32 presents more specific modification requirements beyond asimple rectangular panel. In the view shown in FIG. 2 door latchpunch-out 24 (as shown in FIG. 1) has been removed to accommodate doorlatch mechanism 36. Door vent cut-outs 22 are sized and positioned tooverlay the vented slots typically associated with a metallic lockerdoor panel. Further variations on the structure and function of doorpanel 20 as shown in FIG. 2 are described in more detail below withrespect to FIGS. 4A and 4B.

It should also be noted that, although FIG. 2 represents a locker thatopens from the left to the right, the structures of the presentinvention are such that a locker opening in the opposite direction canbe easily accommodated. There is generally a top to bottom symmetryassociated with door panel 20 such that it may be rotated 180° andpositioned on a locker door that opens right to left with theappropriately positioned door lock mechanism. The configuration shown inFIG. 2, i.e., that of a locker door opening left to right, is moretypical in the industry.

Reference is now made to FIG. 3A for a brief description of thecross-sectional configuration of a typical panel of the presentinvention as identified along section line A-A′ shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 3Adiscloses the cross-sectional configuration of main tri-fold panel 12 asan example of the configuration of the magnetic panels of the presentinvention. In this view, the three panel sections are shown connectedtogether by main panel hinges 28 which in the preferred embodiment arefabric strips that connect the panels with some spacing distance betweenthem. This spacing distance allows for the bending of the panels, bothfor storage and shipment, as well as placement at right angles to eachother within the confines of the locker itself. Each individual panelsection is constructed of an outward facing vinyl or fabric layer 35 andan inward facing flexible magnetic sheet-like material 37.Pre-perforated score lines are provided through the cross-sectionalthickness of the typical panel component of the present invention toaccommodate, for example, hanger hook punch-outs 26 in main tri-foldpanel 12 as shown in FIG. 3A.

Reference is now made to FIGS. 3B and 3C for alternative embodimentcomponents of the present invention that allow for some customization ofthe panel components to accommodate non-standard sized lockers or toaccommodate the individual creative tastes of the locker user. FIGS. 3Band 3C represent rolled sheets of material that can be easily cut intopanels appropriate for positioning within the locker on the interiorwalls. FIG. 3B shows a perspective view of a roll of magnetic materialconfigured in much the same manner as the panels described above.Generic panel roll 42 allows for the creation of a custom panel 44 byseparation of custom panel 44 along scored separation lines 46. The usermay therefore create custom panel 44 of a size sufficient, for example,to supplement ceiling panel 16 or floor panel 18 in the basic embodimentdescribed above. Generic panel roll 42 is further provided with cuttingguides 48 on the non-visible surface of the panel that facilitate thestraight edge cutting of smaller strips or smaller panels of thematerial.

FIG. 3C provides a further alternate embodiment of the generic panelroll 42 shown in FIG. 3B whereby the roll of material comprises a flatsheetlike material albeit without a full magnetic surface as the backingof the material. In FIG. 3C generic magnet band panel 52 is provided ina roll that may be unrolled by the user to form custom magnet band panel54 when separated or cut along scored separation lines 56. In thisinstance, the sheetlike material, instead of being provided with a fullmagnetic surface on the back side of the panel, is provided with twostrips of magnetic material in the form of magnetic edge bands 58. Thesetwo strips of material along opposing edges of the roll may in manyinstances provide sufficient adherence for the panel against themetallic wall component of the locker, without requiring a full sheet ofthe metallic material. Because of the flexible and cutable nature ofthese magnetic edge bands 58 the panels may easily be separated as alongscored lines or may be cut with a standard pair of scissors.

Reference is now made to FIGS. 4A and 4B for a description of a varietyof alternative embodiments associated with the interior door panelcomponent of the present invention. It will be recognized that, althoughit is desirable to provide decorative elements to the interior walls ofthe locker body itself, it is even more desirable to provide decorativeand functional elements to the interior wall of the locker door. Becausethe locker door opens out into the room or hallway where the locker ispositioned, it provides a more visible and more useful surface to thoseutilizing the locker. Because of this functionality for the locker door,the present invention provides a greater variety of decorative andutility features to the door panel than might otherwise be provided onthe interior wall panels of the system. This is not to say that thebelow described features could not also be incorporated into the panelsassociated with the interior of the locker body, only that such featurestend to be more useful on the more accessible door panel of the locker.

FIG. 4A presents accessory door panel 60 comprising a variety ofwrite-on type surfaces. Still accommodating door vent cut-outs 22,accessory door panel 60 provides a number of different surface areasonto which the user may write (permanently or erasably) with some typeof writing instrument. In the preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 4Athese surfaces are flexible polymer sheet surfaces that may besemi-rigid or flexible and that provide permanent or erasable surfacesfor the user to modify as desired. Such dry erase board surfaces, forexample, as are well known, may be integrated into accessory door panel60 of the present invention. With these surfaces integrated into thepanel, a write-on calendar surface 62 may be provided as shown.Similarly, a write-on to-do list surface 64 and a write-on notes areasurface 66 may be provided on the interior face of accessory door panel60. Also shown positioned on accessory door panel 60 is dry erase marker68 which may be adhered to the surface by any number of different means,including a plastic clip or a Velcro® strip, again as may be well knownin the art.

FIG. 4B represents an alternate arrangement of accessory surfaces on theinterior of the door panel, in this case providing a plurality of photoor document pockets or slots into which the user may place flatsheetlike materials, such as pieces of paper or photographs. Once again,door vent cut-outs 22 are provided and to some extent limit the surfaceonto which these additional features may be positioned. In this case,the same basic configuration is provided to each of slide in frames 72,78, and 84, which each integrate clear covers 74, 80, and 86 and accessslots 76, 82, and 88. In this manner, the user may take a flat photo orother sheet of paper, slide it into the respective access slot 76, 82,or 88 and thereby allow it to be held within the respective frame andviewed through the respective clear cover 74, 80, and 86. These clearcover frames may accommodate photos, lists, reminder notes, etc. thatthe user may frequently replace and alter with ease. Structuring theseclear cover frames on accessory door panel 70 is a matter of providingadditional layers to the layered panel comprising the magnetic materialand the vinyl or other fabric decorative coating surface as shown inFIG. 3A.

It will be recognized that the above accessory features positioned onthe door panel of the system of the present invention could easily bemixed and matched between the features shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B. Inother words, some slide-in frame structures may be included inconjunction with write-on type structures and vice versa.

Once again, the layered configuration of the panels of the system of thepresent invention may be constructed according to any of a number ofestablished means. A variety of different flexible magnetic sheetlikematerials are available in the market onto which various additionallayers, both decorative and functional, may be adhered, again accordingto well known mechanisms. The typical configuration of a panel of thepresent invention (as shown in FIG. 3A) would include a sheet offlexible magnetic material onto which is permanently adhered a sheet offlexible vinyl onto which printed or graphic elements have been placed.Additional layers of adhesive sheetlike materials, clear and/ordecorative, may be placed on the surfaces of the panel components. Inthis manner, in addition to providing the decorative elements integratedinto the panels, the users of the system of the present invention mayfreely place stickers, labels, and other more permanent elements ontothe “wallpaper” panels without breaching the rules and regulationsassociated with the placement of such directly on the walls of thelocker. In other words, the individual users may freely customize thepanels without concern for the necessity of removing the permanent orsemi-permanent adhesive attachments at the end of the school year. Ingeneral though, the system of the present invention is intended toprovide a great variety of decorative and utility elements to theinterior panels associated with the system that would allow owners tofully customize and personalize the interior of their lockers to theirown taste.

As indicated above, a wide variety of decorative elements and utilityfeatures are anticipated by the system of the present invention. Moreimportantly, great variations in the geometry, size, and structure ofthe various panels of the present invention are also anticipated toaccommodate variations in the “standard” sized locker configurations. Tosome extent, the rolled sheet components of the present inventionaccommodate these variations while further accommodation is made byproviding a variety of the different kits structured for tall,full-sized lockers or shorter, two door half-sized lockers. Therefore,although the present invention has been described in terms of theforegoing preferred embodiments, these descriptions are provided by wayof explanation only and are not intended to be construed as limitationsof the invention. Those skilled in the art will recognize modificationsof the present invention that would accommodate specific lockerstructures and specific user needs. Those skilled in the art willfurther recognize additional methods for modifying the manner ofmagnetic attachment of the panels of the system of the present inventionto the metallic walls of the interior of a locker. Such modifications asto structure, orientation, geometry, and configuration for the magneticsurfaces and panel construction techniques, where such modifications arecoincidental to the type of locker involved or the specific user'srequirements, do not necessarily depart from the spirit and scope of theinvention.

1. A system for the removable placement of decorative and utilitycomponents on the interior walls of a metal locker, the locker having adoor, the system comprising: a plurality of generally rectangular panelssized to be placed on one or more of the interior walls of the locker,each of the panels comprising a visible surface and an adhesion surface,at least a portion of the adhesion surface comprising a magneticmaterial.
 2. The system of claim 1 wherein the plurality of panelscomprises: (a) a main tri-fold panel comprising three rectangular panelcomponents flexibly attached one to the other along parallel edgesthereof in a manner as to provide a tri-fold panel for placement on theinterior side walls and back wall of the metal locker; (b) a generallyrectangular ceiling panel; (c) a generally rectangular floor panel; (d)a top tri-fold panel comprising three rectangular panel componentsflexibly attached one to the other along parallel edges thereof in amanner as to provide a tri-fold panel for placement on the interior sidewalls and back wall of the metal locker; and (e) a door panel configuredto be placed on the interior wall of the door of the locker.
 3. Thesystem of claim 2 wherein the door panel further comprises door ventcut-outs positioned for placement over existing door vents in the lockerdoor.
 4. The system of claim 2 wherein the door panel further comprisesa removable door lock cut-out to accommodate an existing door lockmechanism in the locker door.
 5. The system of claim 2 wherein the maintri-fold panel further comprises locker hanger hook cut-outs toaccommodate permanently affixed locker hanger hooks within the locker.6. The system of claim 1 wherein the plurality of panels each comprisedecorative elements on the visible surface thereof.
 7. The system ofclaim 1 wherein at least one of the plurality panels is constructed froma single roll of panel material having scored separation lines andcutting guides for separating and configuring individual panels in avariety of shapes and sizes.
 8. The system of claim 1 wherein at leastone of the plurality of panels comprises a full sheet of magneticmaterial forming the adhesion surface covered by a full sheet ofdecorative material forming the visible surface.
 9. The system of claim1 wherein at least one of the plurality of panels comprises a full sheetof decorative material forming the visible surface backed by at leastone magnetic edge strip forming the adhesion surface.
 10. The system ofclaim 1 wherein at least one of the plurality of panels comprises a fullsheet of decorative material forming the visible surface and a pluralityof individual magnetic discs forming the adhesion surface.
 11. Thesystem of claim 1 wherein at least one of the plurality of panelscomprises a write-on surface comprising a dry erase surface suitable forthe temporary retention of writing from a dry erase marker.
 12. Thesystem of claim 11 wherein the write-on surface comprises a pre-printedwrite-on calendar form.
 13. The system of claim 11 wherein the write-onsurface comprises a pre-printed write-on to-do list form.
 14. The systemof claim 11 wherein the write-on surface comprises a pre-printedwrite-on notes area form.
 15. The system of claim 1 wherein at least oneof the plurality of panels comprises at least one slide-in framecomponent, the slide-in frame component comprising a clear flexiblesheet-like material placed over the visible surface of the panel andprovided with an access opening into which a section of flat sheet-likematerial may be inserted, wherein the section of flat sheet-likematerial comprises one of the group comprising a photograph or a printeddocument.